CAPRICORNUS – its correct astronomical title, is a very faint constellation also known as the zodiac sign Capricorn by astrologers. It shares a part of the night sky with fishes, whales, rivers, and water carriers. Despite being depicted as a sea goat it bears closer resemblance to a triangle or if you’re a Halloween fan, witches pointed hat.

Originating with the ancient Sumerians and Babylonians, the constellation Capricornus was known as SUHUR-MASH-HA, THE GOAT FISH.

Pan The God Of The Countryside

The Greeks, however called it AEGOCEROS (GOAT-HORNED). The name of the well-known Italian island – “CAPRI” means “THE ISLAND OF GOATS” but the star atlas’s of old indicate that ancient Greeks associated the constellation Capricornus with the god of the countryside known as Pan. Pan was said to have had the head, horns and forelegs of a goat and a fish’s tail.

Pan, A Playful And Mischievous God

PAN was a very mischievous and naughty god who spent as much time as he possibly could chasing goddesses and female sea nymphs. These activities were punctuated with periods of sleep and relaxation aiming to aid a speedy recovery from his exertions and to renew his strength for his next session of very naughty behaviour.

Syrinx The Nymph

Not all his seductive godly ways turned out as planned – THE NYMPH“SYRINX” was so un-entranced by his godly charms that she transformed herself into a bunch of reeds to avoid his attentions. Ever hopeful, Pan grabbed hold of them and was surprised when they created an un-expectedly beautiful musical sound as the wind blew gently through them.

Inspired and greatly pleased by this discovery Pan waxed together several of varying lengths so forming today’s PAN PIPES (SYRINX)

So it comes as no great surprise that Pan, on being fortunate enough to come across a wild and wicked field party hosted by naughty sea nymphs and goddesses was only too happy to gate crash it and indulge in all kinds of untold fun and mischief.

Typhon The Terrible

Pan’s indulgences were however rudely interrupted by the approach of the huge and ferocious Typhon – a monster sent by Gaia – Mother Earth to attack the gods. After booming a deafening warning to the gods (being something of a loud mouth) Pan’s suggested each god transformed themselves into a different kind of animal and fled to a place of safety in order to escape the terrible Typhon.

To the amusement of the passing god ZEUS THE GOD OF THUNDER, Pan in great alarm, (hence the term panic) dived into the nearest river intending to transform fully into goat-form. Things did not go quite to plan and the lower part of his body changed into that of a fish!

The Mighty Battle of Zeus

Zeus fought a mighty battle with Typhon eventually overcoming him with thunderbolts, after which SICILY’S MOUNT ETNA became the monster’s final resting place. Refusing to rest even in death Typon’s breath was said to be responsible for the fiery, volcanic eruptions produced by Mt Etna.

During this battle Zeus was badly injured and was left unable to run or fight. Pan with the help of Hermes repaired the damage done to him and he was able to continue with the battle and onto victory.

By way of thanks Zeus placed an image of Pan – the sea goat Capricornus, in the night sky.

71 responses to “Pan Galactic Space Goat”

I just hope it loaded ok. Major connection gremlins are preventing any access via laptop. Looks ok on mobile but that doesn’t mean much! Thick autumn fog and dying connection signal…the apocalypse is well underway😉 GrrRrrRRRRRrrrrrrrR!!

Thanks for that🙂 It’s quite scary sometimes what can happen to a perfectly respectable post between leaving my screen and zipping off into cyberspace!! Im sure they go thru their own private SHTF scenario en-route sometimes😉

Oh, wow, Icewolf… I love the Stars, the Gods, Halloween, Legends AND Pan Pipes! You have everything in this post!
And, I can see both the witches hat and the triangular goat’s head in the Capricorn constellation.
He certainly got around, that Pan, didn’t he? I wonder if he – or his friends – inspired the other Pan’s People?😉
Great post!!!

I thought I could see your hair gel in the constellation…😉
I’m going to have a look at the post in a minute…it was horrible to put together lol…was meant to be quick and easy but it was anything but! Hopefully the end will justify the means!
Pan got around in more ways than one lol but that’s gods for you it would seem!!
I sincerely hope he didn’t inspire the other Pan’s crew 😀

When I was a child I loved reading about all the Gods, and this brings back some lovely memories, Loved the graphics too, I can’t recall them like that when I was a kid. LOL
This time of the year the constellations are quite prominent. especially with the clear nights we had last week.
Take care Wolfie.

Aww…thanks for calling in Arlene…furry Wolfie hugs🙂 Yes…lol I imagine the graphics are a little “different” today lol😀 The odd time we get clear skies here the consetellations are beautiful and Wolfie has permanent neck-ache from eyes to the skies in wonderment! Venus, Mars and Jupiter are awesome sights on clear nights too – huge and dazzling even to the naked eye…so I hope you’re being good lol they’re watching you!!🙂

I didn’t know very much about Pan, so I enjoyed learning about him. I love looking at the constellations in the sky and picking out the ones I know. I always think that it took a very vivid imagination to see those images in the stars.

I learned a few things about Pan myself….not least that he has to be the gnawtiest god in mythology! I was looking at the constellations and I was sure was a huge Clowie one out there…It had a great big galaxy there too…known as “Biped”😀 White stars are very hot and shine the brightest so the “Clowie” was pretty much impossible to miss!

Wow Wolfie, what a spectacular post.. Makes me want to join them in that goaty heaven🙂 I have a beautiful book which was my sons as a child about the myths of the Gods…. Loved your posting and information… I trust you are well .. Loved all the graphics too.. especially the mighty battle with Zeus …
Take care my wolfie friend xxxx Sue

Yes…I wouldn’t have minded joining Pan in goaty heaven!! I’ve never had any books like that but it’s amazing where interesting info pops up from! There’s a post knocking around on this blog somewhere specifically about Zeus if you want to view more of him😉 Personally I rather liked Pan’s ripped person!! :)xx

Pan is fine Wolfie… I was more interested in Hercules😉 and ever since a certain Brad Pitt played the role… LOL…in a certain film… hehe…. oh to be a few years younger… Then I would be in goaty heaven LOL..
Hope you well Wolfie.. Have a Great Weekend.. love Sue xx

This one is full of nymph naughtiness Icywolfy
and how wicked you tell the tale too, I bet you
enjoyed collecting these mythological graphics
to help enhance your wickedness and what a
great posting you have given us🙂🙂 I like it🙂
I didn’t know about the pan pipes, Pan was the
naughtiest God and how he learned to enjoy a
pipe or ten is definitely something to follow up
in another blog🙂 THE NYMPH “SYRINX” is an
interesting part of this posting and how well he
played those notes😉 Hey this is one of those
gnawti one’s that you have been hiding, hmm
I wonder what you will be adding next?🙂😉 As
usual, a riveting read with lots of excellently
added info and graphics🙂 Well done Icywolfy
you have triumphed with this fine study of Pan
the Galactic Space Goat🙂

Have a very nice rest of evening Icywolfy and watch
out where you leave your pipes or a naughty Pan may
blow on them🙂

I know how much you like nympheeeee gnawtiness Andro de Gothic One lol…and I do aim to please occasionally😉 This was a spur of the moment post, supposed to be a quick and easy stop-gap till I get chance to deal with the one I originally had in mind…it proved to be a real pain in the nympheeee rear as it happened so it’s nice to feel my efforts weren’t in vain! Pan was very, very gnawti! Reminded me of you actually😀 My pipes are very well clad lol so they should be safe from Pan blowing on them thanks😀 I did enjoy collecting the pics of Pan I would admit…he is rather well “ripped” in that one with the pipes lol😉 And who knows…maybe that was Wolfie with him in the other one😀

Yes well I don’t doubt that for a second, being that you are always so naughty and wicked, I bet you are one of Pans People for sure😉 lmao Hey I hope your other blog is ready for posting next, I always like to read what you are getting up to, I mean what you are posting🙂 Okay grab something nearby and enjoy yourself, oh and leave that Pan alone he looks a bit jaded🙂 lol

How cheeky Sir Gothic Andro Vampire of unspeakable gnawtiness and cheekiness!!😉 I know you always like to read what I’m getting up to😉 lol but sometimes it’s much better if you don’t know!😀 No my other blog is not ready for posting…I have to fit it in around twitter and facebook and two other blogs, several email accounts and the all important business of visiting everybody else’s awesome blogs on here!!🙂 Now you’re busy digesting all that you won’t notice this tiny little extra note will you…”grabbing something very close by and having a really awesomely wicked and gnawti time😉 ” …No! I didn’t say a word Sir Andro😀 lol I was just saying how wonderful your fine blog was🙂😀😉

I haven’t done one yet🙂 lol
You twitter too much I think
and FB too, you are sooooo
busy on your pc and moby😦
Just keep on adding your fine
mythology postings on WP and
I will try and forget how wicked
and naughty you are🙂 Hmmm
that will be difficult with your high
level of wickedness but I can try🙂

Cutting it a bit fine young Andro! I’ve only just got online so not sure how far I’ll get on the visiting front. Please don’t leave it so late next time ok?!! The Alpha Female of the Europa Pack has spoken and doesn’t like to be disobeyed! lol😉😀 I guess it’s another very wicked and gnawti beyond words one too lol…maybe I’d better come over straight away then!!!😀

Been missing those scratches and pats😀 Please ensure you appear more frequently and bestow them on Wolfie on a more regular basis!! Thanks😀
Twp of you querying the lack of wolves! My delicate wolfie paw! I am working on it! But it’ll cost you lots of scratches and pats to keep me motivated lol😉

I just love finding out where different words, sayings and traditions come from. Had no idea about “panic” – that’s fabulous and bound to blow someone’s mind when I use it (probably inappropriately) at some or other gathering!
Brilliant post – as always!

Your postings are typically very interesting and this one is no exception! The details concerning the life of the gods are fascinating to me. Do you realize mythology is the beginning of astrolog? My interest in astrology actually began with my first book which was on Mytholoy in my teens.
Love ths post, pictures, and your style.

Thanks Eddie🙂 I knew there were links between astrology and mythology but I didn’t realise it was the beginning of astrology….how interesting…mythology seems to be linked to many things, and probably a few we’re not even aware of!🙂

Oh it did! It did! I almost bought a “Kindle Fire” before discovering it’s wi-fi only and I don’t have any wi fi access😦 They suggested I might like to purchase an £849 Apple Mac instead!!! They were very enthusiastic about for some reason!! They don’t recommend Windows 8 PCs as “overly complicated”…an £849 Mac is of course much faster and simpler to use…(Safari OS) but it would be wouldn’t it! £849??!!!! Oh yes…of course it’s much faster! Apparantly they don’t get viruses so you don’t need anti virus software…they didn’t comment on connection gremlins though!! So all in all I was pretty good…I came home empty pawed🙂

Are u scared…
Black night
Full of fright
Heat and fever on the air tonight
Electricity halted
Darkness spread in the vally of death
Energize dead body comes from grave
Try to scare people by making lots of niose
Standing with satanic rule looking for Someone
to fulfill the thirst of human blood
Knock-Knock
open the door
Are u scared!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Nicki/The Witch Shalima

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Ice wolves of Europa. Intergalactic star wolves running with the moon and the stars in the light of another world. Callers of the moon wolves-song and interstellar hunters across the icy surface of the Europan seas. Echoing the call of an alien world and the whispering of the moonshadows, the call of the star songs, and the dream of worlds beyond the stars and cities in the sky.